December 15, 2017

As the teachers of young people, the excitement of the holiday season is often amplified as we experience it through the eyes of our students. Last week we enjoyed our annual inspiring Giving Chapel. Special holiday moments are treasures that deepen our classroom bond while also connecting us to the larger school community.  Just as we’ve taken the time to explore seasonal traditions here at school, we encourage you to take time over vacation to discuss important family traditions with your child. Relish this time by resting, playing, and reading together.

When we return from winter break the children will begin learning about a variety of heroes both with Mrs. Ingham in the library and in our classroom.  We will model research skills by learning about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other civil rights leaders as a class before delving into other heroes. Throughout we'll be asking: 

• What should others know about the life of this hero?  
• What issue touched this person's heart?  
• How did this person use his/her "power for good" to help others or circumstances?
• What qualities or attributes make a person a hero?  

You may wish to read some biographies with your child over winter break and start this conversation at home. Just remember, no choosing heroes yet! We want everyone to keep an open mind and learn about many different types of heroes before we start thinking about making selections for our next project.  You might choose to start this conversation using a video such as this, which shows the story of a young boy, Campbell, who chooses to use his power for good to give joy to children who are sick in hospitals in a very special way.  Ask your child, “What issue touched Campbell’s heart?  How does he use his power for good?”

Enjoy the break - it is well deserved after many months of hard work!  We’ll see you in 2018.

Best Wishes and Happy Holidays,
Second Grade Teachers

Homework

After the holiday break, please note that we will increase the number of minutes of reading from 15 per night to 20 beginning January 8^th.

Homework for the week of 1/2, due 1/8

·       Read for at least 15 minutes each night Monday through Friday (weekends       are bonus) and fill in the reading log nightly

·       Conduct the reading interview questions throughout the week

·       Math Journal: pages 59-60

The Yes Brain Parent-Teacher Discussion Group – SAVE THE DATE

Save the dates for a series of book-based parent and teacher conversations that will build connection and community as we discuss Daniel Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson’s newest research around strengthening reliance, balance and social-emotional growth in our children. The Yes Brain is available for pre-order through this form: we expect the books to be delivered to OES by Friday, January 19th.

Dates: Tuesday evenings January 30, February 20 and March 6, 2018

Time: 7:30-9pm

Location: Lower School Library

We hope you can join us!

Happy Holidays!

Illustration by Eric Carle

December 8, 2017

We greatly appreciate your participation in our Learning Celebration this week of the children's research projects.  

Once they completed all the elements of the brochure, they were asked to rehearse how to present it to you, their audience. 

Fifth Graders Using Their Power for Good to Rescue a Bird on Our OES Wetlands

Ask your child:  "How did the fifth graders use their power for good to rescue a bird?  How did this experience change their attitude about being on the water in the rain? How did they collaborate and cooperate to rescue the bird?" You can view the video and read more about the experience in this week's "The Aardvark" filled with OES News.

Learning Celebration

In addition to the reflection sheet you completed, each child is doing their own personal reflection.  Some of the comments by the children have included:
"It's like a big piece of artwork and it's the most awesome thing I've made and I put a lot of work into it."  Elise
"I did some of my best handwriting and I worked really hard on it."  Zach
"I think I did good on the cover, good handwriting, spelling, good punctuation....pretty.  I think it had interesting details."  Grant
"I could have added more to my cover."  Parker
"I didn't really have time, but I was going to put some more information in there."  Jameson
" I took my time and did my best!"  Benji

Homework

Due: 12-11-17

Reading Log

Math:  Pages 41-51  Play math place value game

For the week of 12-11-17 thru 12-15-17

Due 12-15-17 

Reading Log

Math:  Pages 53-54

Children have have been requesting access to the Keyboarding program they have learned at school.  It can be accessed below:

Keyboarding Practice:

Logging into student Google Classroom account

Go to this URL

classroom.google.com

Sign in using student account

Username

*lastnamefirstinitial@go.oes.edu*

Example: thomasd@go.oes.edu

Student’s password 

beedance

Click on Classroom Link 

Follow the link to Typing Club and login using your Google Account

DEBRA BODIO THOMAS

LS Educational Technology Teacher

Giving Chapel

Thank you so much for your generosity in supporting the agencies highlighted this morning at our annual "Giving Chapel!" We greatly appreciated the efforts of Kristen Haferbecker, LS Service Learning Coordinator, for guiding our children to understand the needs of each of the organizations through our weekly Gatherings.

Reminders

• Santa hats can be worn on Friday, December 15th only
• Please send a heavy coat, hat (if coat does not have a hood), gloves or mittens (this morning the temperature was 30 degrees for morning recess

December 1, 2017

In the next couple of school days the children will be putting the finishing touches on their brochures to share with you on Wednesday, December 6th 8:30-9:15 a.m. The brochures are an enlarged version of what you might find at local agencies to accommodate the writing and illustrations by the children.  Informational Writing is an opportunity for the children to explore how to consider what information their audience might want to know on a topic.  As they have created their brochures we have discussed how to "hook" the interest and attention of their audience right from the start. They have also included an issue they each have identified as close to their "heart" and a way to address that issue.  Ask your child, “What design choices did you make on the cover of your brochure?  

What is most important for others to learn about your issue?  How will you inspire others to take action? What features will draw your audience into your issue?   What about your work are you the most proud of? What is a challenge you had to overcome during the creation of the brochure?” Some of the 2nd Graders who have chosen the Pixie Project as the agency that touches their hearts made a presentation today during our Friday Gathering. They composed and read the following:

How is the Pixie Project Using Their Power For Good?

The Pixie Project gives animals food, care, and water. They also give them a nice home and if they are hurt they give them surgery. They train them. They exercise them by walking them and giving them a chance to run and play. They get pets from other shelters who might not have enough room and they take careful attention to treat them kindly.

They make a video of the pets and it shows how the animal is and how it acts so that people will like them and then people will get interested and then adopt them. When people come to see the animals, they meet someone from The Pixie Project and that person can let them have a play date and get to know the animal.

What Do They Believe?

The Pixie Project believes that all animals need homes. They try to find nice people to take animals who need homes. They help find a good-fit home for the animals there. They believe that all animals should have care and exercise and good food. They believe animals can give humans their love and their respect.

How Can We Help?

We think you can make treats for dogs and cats. This can help the pets by giving them food and helps them exercise because they want the treat! Treats show pets that they did a good job and it shows that they can have nice food and be taken care of. You can put pet supplies like Kong dog or cat toys, tennis balls, or nylon leashes in your Giving Chapel bag. You can talk to your family about whether adopting a pet from the Pixie Project is right for your family.

You may have also noticed the Giving Chapel Fair display in the Lower School lobby area this week. The children visited and explored how the displays captured their attention and what information was shared. They were asked to consider whether they might be able to incorporate any of the eye catching techniques in their own brochures. We also had an opportunity to observe some of the 5th graders who were making pillows for one of the agencies.

Giving Chapel

Next Friday, December 8th we head up to chapel at 8:00.  Please remember to send in Giving Chapel bags with your child Friday morning. Students may leave their bags under the window just outside the classroom door until 7:50.  Fifth graders will help students carry their bags up to chapel. If you arrive after 8:00, please check in with the office and walk your child up to chapel.

Academic Happenings:

Math

The children have been exploring finding the perimeter using non-standard measurement. Our December calendar will be focused on shapes and our work places involve adding 2 or 3 digit addends and then subtracting a digit from 4-9.

Writing

We received letters from our pen pals and have started planning how to answer their questions, incorporating context and asking new questions.

The children also worked with their Kindergarten buddies this week creating stories using a variety of materials.

Reading

The children have been reading a variety of non-fiction texts about animals. Once we have completed our brochure work, they will be invited to write a brief "all about" book on one of the animals they have read about.

Homework

Homework due: 12/4::

• Reading log
• Math Journal pages: Pages 39-40

Homework for the week of 12/4, due 12/11:

• Read for at least 15 minutes each night Monday through Friday (weekends are bonus) and fill in the reading log nightly
• Conduct the reading interview questions throughout the week
• Math Journal: Enjoy the game on pages: 41-51